How many do know that virtually no Agong in recent history stays at Istana Negara?

They usually stay in their Istana Hinggaps. The current Agong stays at the Istana Terengganu full-time. So does our Immediate-Past Agong whom stay at the Istana Perlis. How I know? Well......observe a lil protocol and you'll know

How many do know that virtually no Agong in recent history stays at Istana Negara?

They usually stay in their Istana Hinggaps. The current Agong stays at the Istana Terengganu full-time. So does our Immediate-Past Agong whom stay at the Istana Perlis. How I know? Well......observe a lil protocol and you'll know

I do know this as well. Melawati palace also has been used for protocol and official functions, no royals actually live there

The idea that the current Istana Negara is too small for royal functions is absurd, especially when they have melawati at their disposal. sigh.

__________________
Imagination is more important than knowledge.
~ Albert Einstein

A rich tycoon's residence...so is that why the Bok House are being treated just because it is not a palace? Our Istana Negara had been refurbished and extended many times. The Balairongseri featured exquisite carvings and finishings and the current building is far larger than the original tycoon's residence.

If a free market economy were to be all about money, I am sure that the Singaporean Govt had long time sold off their Istana too as it smacks right in the middle of their commercial district. And you know how land starve is Singapore right? Why had they not done so?

That is because a supposedly 'cultureless state' like Singapore (a lot of Malaysian love to say Singapore no culture so that is not my point-of-view actually), are able to protect so many of their historical structures be it political places or some rich tycoon residences. And their Istana which is merely the British govenor's residence are 'sacred' to the Singaporeans. You know why? That is because it is a sovereignity issue or a huge political change when the head-of-state move his/her residence.

You do not see the Queen of England move officially to Windsor Castle although that is her favourite palace and that she spend a lot of time there too. Nor the Chinese Emperors move here and there although they have virtually unlimited resources and free labour. Historically the capital of China only move when there is a major political change. And when they moved back, they usually took residence at the old palace but of course they renovate a bit first lah

Also note that our King's Palace is a Royal symbol and a national symbol. It should be treated with outmost respect as with the Royal Standard and the Royal Coat-Of-Arms as it is a sovereignity symbol.

Whatever the case, our current istana is going to be a royal museum of sorts. It is not going to be sold so those whom think that the land fetches good price can stop dreaming lah

KUALA LUMPUR, April 24 (Bernama) -- The installation of the 13th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at Istana Negara this Thursday is expected to be the last for the palace before moving to the new palace complex in Jalan Duta.

The new Istana Negara is scheduled for completion in 2009.

Istana Negara (National Palace) in Jalan Istana opposite Jalan Syed Putra and the Klang River has been the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong since independence.

It is originally a bungalow owned by Chan Wing, a millionaire from China who built it on a 11.34-hectare site in 1928 at a cost of RM150,000.

During the Japanese Occupation in the 1940's, the bungalow was turned into an army command centre and officers' mess.

When the Japanese were defeated and left Malaya, it became the residence of the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sir Hishamuddin Alam Shah.

The beautiful building was bought by the federal government for RM1.4 million in 1957 and a renovation at RM328,000 transformed it into a palace fit for the King of a newly independent state.

The first Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Rahman Tuanku Muhammad was the first ruler to stay at Istana Negara, a white building with two golden domes several weeks before independence was declared.

It was re-designed by Public Works Department architect E.K. Dinsdale while the renovation by a local contractor took just four months and did not affect its main structure.

The renovation increased the rooms from 13 to 20, with a kitchen for 100 people, an audience hall, four guest rooms, two entry halls and a dining hall.

For the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's installation ceremony, a temporary Balairong Seri (Throne Hall) costing RM170,000 was built but it was demolished at the end of 1957 and replaced with a large conference hall.

In 1980, Istana Negara was given a major renovation befitting the official residence of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong with the addition of the Balairong Seri Utama (Main Throne Hall) where the throne is located.

It was the first throne located at Istana Negara as previously the installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was conducted at Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman in Jalan Ampang.

The new throne was built under the supervision of Public Works Department senior architect Kapt David Wee and was based on the royal regalia.

It was used for the first time for the installation of the Sultan of Pahang Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Sultan Abu Bakar as the 7th Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 1980.

Other than for installation ceremonies, the Balairong Seri has also been used for state banquets, birthday and investiture ceremonies, prayers and religious talks.

Istana Negara has a smaller throne on the first floor where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong receives and presents appointment letters to ambassadors and high commissioners.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong uses the Bilik Duta (Ambassadors Room) on the ground floor to interact with the new ambassadors and high commissioners.

This is also where the Prime Minister or Deputy Prime Minister has an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before chairing the weekly Cabinet meeting on Wednesdays.

The palace also has a small hall where the Yang di-Pertuan Agong meets fellow rulers while the Bilik Permaisuri (Queen's Room) is where the royal family calls on the royal couple and for unofficial functions.

Next to the Balairong Seri is the Bilik Mesyuarat Raja-Raja (Rulers Conference Room) where the meeting of the Conference of Rulers is held annually, while Bilik Menteri (Minister's Room) is for waiting before an audience with the King.

The badminton hall in the palace grounds is also used for functions involving the public like presentation of gifts to the poor during the fasting month of Ramadan.

Other recreational facilities available are tennis courts, a gymnasium and a swimming pool.

Istana Negara has its own police beat and palace guards from the 1st battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.

Since 2001, guards on horseback man the main entrance from 8am to 5pm, making them a tourist attraction.

"the said Municipality of George Town shall on the First Day of January in the Year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifty seven and forever thereafter be a city and shall be called and styled the CITY OF GEORGE TOWN instead of the Municipality of George Town and shall thenceforth have all such rank, liberties, privileges and immunities as are incident to a city." - Queen Elizabeth II

ROYAL HOME: The King taking a closer look at a model of the new Istana
Negara during the groundbreaking ceremony for the palace project at Jalan
Duta in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. With him are (from left) Abdullah, Najib,
Samy Vellu, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting
and Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

KUALA LUMPUR: A new RM400mil palace complex will be built in Jalan Duta to replace the Istana Negara that has been used since 1928.

Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said work on the new Istana Negara, to be built on a 96.52ha site atop a hill, will start next June and was slated for completion in 2009.

“We need a new palace with bigger space. Currently, the Balai Rong Seri of Istana Negara is also used as dining and meeting rooms. One room for multiple use is just inadequate,” he said at the groundbreaking ceremony for the palace project at Jalan Duta here yesterday.

Samy Vellu said the new Istana Negara, steeped in Islamic and Malay architectural designs, had been on the drawing board nine months ago.

“It will not be the largest palace as there are larger ones around but will be one suitable for a country like Malaysia,” he added.

He said the fate of the present Istana Negara would be determined by the Prime Minister’s Department. It is learnt it had been proposed as a royal museum.

Kumpulan Seni Reka Sdn Bhd has been appointed the architect for the new palace and Maya Maju Sdn Bhd as the building contractor.

Samy Vellu said the site for the new palace had been gazetted for the purpose 30 years ago.

In his briefing to the King, Public Works Department director-general Dr Amer Hamzah Mohd Yunus said only 28ha would be developed into the new Istana Negara complex while the rest would be a garden area.

“The existing forest will also be retained as a security zone. The forest reserve will developed into a garden and will be opened to the public for recreational purposes,” he said, referring to a request from the King that a garden be developed for the public.

The new Istana Negara complex will comprise the palace building, supporting buildings, housing for palace staff, police, security office, mini army camp and a double-storey entrance from Jalan Duta and a parking area.

The complex will have a floor area of 75,000sq metres, excluding the parking area, and will be divided into four wings.

The site of the present Istana Negara in Jalan Istana here used to be home to a millionaire named Chan Wing in 1928.

After the Japanese occupation, it was converted into a palace for the Sultan of Selangor until 1957, when the federal government took over and turned it into Istana Negara. – Bernama

waste of money............what they do for the country anyway? just curious

Agreed. They should spend the 600 million on the rakyat. Why do they need to ride around in Maybach? See that car a lot around the BB area hotels. Seems like the king has one, Raja of perlis was riding in one at Starhill gallery too. Total waste of funds.